SGN service ending [Effective October, 2016]
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#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
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#3
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: BOS/SIN
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But then again this is UA we're talking about here...
#5
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Who knows we might see a 787 SFO-SGN nonstop? Admittedly Vietnam traffic is very VFR-heavy but it can't be much worse than SFO-XIY could it. Also a nonstop could go some way in keeping VN off starting its own nonstop flights to the US when they get more 789/359s.
But then again this is UA we're talking about here...
But then again this is UA we're talking about here...
... this is the issue. The Vietnamese VFR segment is huge but historically not high-yielding and LAX-centric. Similar to the Phillippines in that regard, and obviously business traffic is not commanding high enough fares to warrant an independent nonstop.
Now, it is possible that HKG-SGN could simply be returning to a WB flight and the HKG-SGN aircraft is to be reallocated to a GUM-China rotation, but I would bet the station is closing.
ANA has NRT-SGN service, though the eastbound timing is poor for UA connections.
Last edited by EWR764; Jul 14, 16 at 6:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Who knows we might see a 787 SFO-SGN nonstop? Admittedly Vietnam traffic is very VFR-heavy but it can't be much worse than SFO-XIY could it. Also a nonstop could go some way in keeping VN off starting its own nonstop flights to the US when they get more 789/359s.
But then again this is UA we're talking about here...
But then again this is UA we're talking about here...
SFO-SGN is a very long flight, I don't see them getting the yields to do it as ULR flight, SFO-BKK would seem a better call.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: IAH, SGN, BKK
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Now, it is possible that HKG-SGN could simply be returning to a WB flight and the HKG-SGN aircraft is to be reallocated to a GUM-China rotation, but I would bet the station is simply being closed.
ANA has NRT-SGN service, though the eastbound timing is poor for UA connections.
ANA has NRT-SGN service, though the eastbound timing is poor for UA connections.
Odd timing: UA has been heavily promoting SGN-US flights in local media & via agents.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I think it's on the radar. UA is obviously trying to get out of flying international tags and fifth-freedom services. SFO-SIN was always a much higher priority than SFO-BKK, but with two 787-9s coming in early 2017, and three more to follow later (more likely 2018), there is definitely room for another ULH in the SFO portfolio, and BKK would seem to be the most likely candidate.
Once more sCO 777-224ERs are on the West Coast to start 744 replacement (supposedly to begin after the 77Ws arrive, same with ORD), BKK would theoretically be within 777 range, too, given their slightly longer legs than the -222ERs.
Once more sCO 777-224ERs are on the West Coast to start 744 replacement (supposedly to begin after the 77Ws arrive, same with ORD), BKK would theoretically be within 777 range, too, given their slightly longer legs than the -222ERs.
#10
Join Date: Feb 2008
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One would think that such a robust market would at least warrant a nonstop service to the United States from the national airline, with a fleet of 777s, 787s, A330s and A350s, but alas...
...
ANA has NRT-SGN service, though the eastbound timing is poor for UA connections.
...
ANA has NRT-SGN service, though the eastbound timing is poor for UA connections.

The ANA connections are horrible, UA is basically bailing on this market.
p.s. Delta code shares with VN and KoreanAir and and can get you there on partners with good connections. My guess is that causes some folks to switch to Delta.
First there are about 425K people of vietnamese ancestry in So. Cal, there are 337K in Nor. Cal., It makes far more sense to fly from SFO than LAX given that distribution.
LAX-SGN is 8153 miles, SFO-SGN is 7823 miles. That extra 350 miles makes a big difference at that range. To give context, SFO-SIN is 8446 and they will have to block of Y seats in the winter. Flying to SGN they will need to fill all of the Y seats. So from SFO it is marginal, from LAX the extra 350 miles is a killer...
Last edited by spin88; Jul 14, 16 at 6:53 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
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First there are about 425K people of vietnamese ancestry in So. Cal, there are 337K in Nor. Cal., It makes far more sense to fly from SFO than LAX given that distribution.
LAX-SGN is 8153 miles, SFO-SGN is 7823 miles. That extra 350 miles makes a big difference at that range. To give context, SFO-SIN is 8446 and they will have to block of Y seats in the winter. Flying to SGN they will need to fill all of the Y seats. So from SFO it is marginal, from LAX the extra 350 miles is a killer...
LAX-SGN is 8153 miles, SFO-SGN is 7823 miles. That extra 350 miles makes a big difference at that range. To give context, SFO-SIN is 8446 and they will have to block of Y seats in the winter. Flying to SGN they will need to fill all of the Y seats. So from SFO it is marginal, from LAX the extra 350 miles is a killer...
Vietnam is a VFR-oriented market with historically low yields. The business sector is growing but is not driving premiums sufficient to justify a nonstop service yet.
If United has better use for the 737 elsewhere, is this terribly unreasonable?
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: EWR, BDL
Posts: 4,469
I think it's on the radar. UA is obviously trying to get out of flying international tags and fifth-freedom services. SFO-SIN was always a much higher priority than SFO-BKK, but with two 787-9s coming in early 2017, and three more to follow later (more likely 2018), there is definitely room for another ULH in the SFO portfolio, and BKK would seem to be the most likely candidate.
Once more sCO 777-224ERs are on the West Coast to start 744 replacement (supposedly to begin after the 77Ws arrive, same with ORD), BKK would theoretically be within 777 range, too, given their slightly longer legs than the -222ERs.
Once more sCO 777-224ERs are on the West Coast to start 744 replacement (supposedly to begin after the 77Ws arrive, same with ORD), BKK would theoretically be within 777 range, too, given their slightly longer legs than the -222ERs.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2013
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sad to see it go. HCMC is fascinating. it's one of those "i only visited because UA flies there" cities for me.
really hope that we see nonstop dreamliner service.
really hope that we see nonstop dreamliner service.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I understand, however, that the sCO 772s are the de facto 747 replacement in Chicago, at least in terms of airframes. Maybe not on a route-by-route basis.
#15
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Posts: 6,525
I think it's on the radar. UA is obviously trying to get out of flying international tags and fifth-freedom services. SFO-SIN was always a much higher priority than SFO-BKK, but with two 787-9s coming in early 2017, and three more to follow later (more likely 2018), there is definitely room for another ULH in the SFO portfolio, and BKK would seem to be the most likely candidate.
Once more sCO 777-224ERs are on the West Coast to start 744 replacement (supposedly to begin after the 77Ws arrive, same with ORD), BKK would theoretically be within 777 range, too, given their slightly longer legs than the -222ERs.
Once more sCO 777-224ERs are on the West Coast to start 744 replacement (supposedly to begin after the 77Ws arrive, same with ORD), BKK would theoretically be within 777 range, too, given their slightly longer legs than the -222ERs.
As to SFO-BKK, I would raise the same issues as with SFO-SGN, its a very long flight (7932 miles) and I doubt there will be the very good Premium load UA is getting (for now...

p.s. no way the economics work with the fuel burn of the 777. A 350-9 may work SFO-SGN (or LAX-SGN) as it would not need seats blocked westbound in the winter.